Movie Parliament
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • This House
  • Articles
  • Foreign Affairs
    • Cannes 2017
    • Cannes2016
    • 2016 Oscars Predictions
    • 2015 César Awards
    • 2014 César Awards
    • 2014 French Bloggers Awards
    • Top10 2014
    • 2013 César Awards
    • 2013 Cannes Coverage
    • European Film Awards 2012
    • (50) Films of Summer
    • 2012 Cannes Coverage
    • 2011 César Awards
    • 2011 Cannes Coverage
  • Film History
    • Classic Films
    • Cult Movies
    • Foreign Masterpieces
  • Awards
    • Awards Decade 2011-2020
    • Awards2020
    • Awards2019
    • Awards2018
    • Awards2017
    • Awards2016
    • Awards2015
    • Awards 2014
    • Awards 2013
    • Awards 2012
    • Awards 2011 >
      • FYC - Best 2011 Film
  • Top 50 of the Decade
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • 2004
    • 2003
    • 2002
    • 2001
    • 2000
  • Summer Movie Wager
  • 2018 Most Anticipated

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

10/15/2012

15 Comments

 
Picture
A sweeping shot of a bustling, lively city. The black and white cinematography highlights the contrasting light and darkness, the ominous shadows. We move in on a man at a desk, a private detective. This is Humphrey Bogart, an icon of film noir, playing the role of Samuel Spade in John Huston's debut feature The Maltese Falcon.
Spade is about to unknowingly enter the criminal underbelly of the city. The individual against the threatening collective, a key theme in film noir. But in 1941, the year of the film's cinematic release, there was no film noir. Writer-director John Huston, together with his cinematographer Arthur Edeson, tapped into something with his dark crime thriller that inspired audiences and influenced like-minded filmmakers all through Hollywood.

On the outside, The Maltese Falcon might have looked like your average Warner Bros. gangster movie, a genre which they had pursued over the last decade or so. Something, however, had slowly but surely changed the cinematic landscape. Maybe it was the rising influence of French poetic cinema or German expressionism on the American market, or perhaps people began to sense the impending dread and frustration of WW2. For whatever reason, out of all this, private detective Samuel Spade was born. An openly selfish man, who makes morally ambiguous choices and commits adultery. The anti-hero of the 40s and 50s.
Bogart's Spade is repeatedly tricked and seduced by Mary Astor's shady “femme fatale”. She involves him in the search for the Maltese Falcon, a priceless statuette. Along the way, Spade is confronted with numerous henchmen and untrustworthy individuals, such as Peter Lorre's slimy crook Joel Cairo. Our hero is framed in doorways, corridors and other confines of the city in imagery reminiscent of European cinema. Highly evocative and progressive for it's time, with undertones of eroticism, The Maltese Falcon had an instant strong impact on American culture.

Huston would go on to make other film noirs, such as The Asphalt Jungle, and Bogart would soon become Hollywood's biggest star. Bogart and Huston would work together again many times, but in a sense their first collaboration proved to be their most important contribution to film history.

Any admirer of film noir and classic films, should watch The Maltese Falcon.

By Movie Parliament Minister for History,
Leonhard Balk
15 Comments
pinterest how to get followers link
7/8/2013 06:47:03 pm

What inspired the audience on this movie is the dark crime thriller that really inspired audiences and influenced like-minded filmmakers all through Hollywood.

Reply
Saiba mais link
3/16/2014 08:22:23 pm

I couldn't agree more...

Reply
visit here link
7/14/2013 05:26:20 pm

We will never forget Humphrey Bogart who played by Samuel Spade in The Maltese Falcon.The movie was a stunning realization of a true story. All the characters were played by legendary artists of the time. One of the best movies of John Huston.

Reply
论文格式 link
8/14/2013 10:27:55 pm

我一直在尋找這個話題在互聯網上,並決定做一些研究。你本文包含非常有用的信息。你有任何更多的關於這個問題的呢?如果有請分享!

Reply
Jonathan T. Wells link
10/7/2013 09:51:31 pm

This can be a great sound judgment post. Worthwhile one who is merely seeking the means relating to this element. It's going to undoubtedly help teach me personally.

Reply
custom essay writing service reviews link
10/11/2013 07:02:36 pm

This film is made on education and history topic that is plus point and we can't forget our history. All nation learn from their past and if you want to read more about history or education then study from our website.

Reply
ox for d park link
11/18/2013 04:59:33 pm

It is an obvious premise, but used cars have their reasoning. Some cars and older models worse than others and, with the same years and miles, tourism of a brand can be almost new and a different signature

Reply
trubodywellness.com link
1/1/2014 11:55:39 am

This can be a good sound common sense submit. Rewarding individual who is merely seeking your implies with this ingredient. It is going to certainly aid show myself.

Reply
Garcinia Cambogia Extract link
1/7/2014 08:34:41 pm

After looking into a handful of the blog posts on your website, I honestly appreciate your way of writing a blog. I saved it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my website too and let me know your opinion.

Reply
Mason link
1/23/2014 06:17:15 pm

You had fantastic good ideas here. I did a search on the subject and discovered almost all peoples will agree with your blog.

Reply
sportgeneeskunde link
1/31/2014 01:47:22 pm

After a long search of finding an interesting article I found yours better. Looking forward for more.

Reply
mobilehealthrisksm link
2/25/2014 12:26:32 pm

I am definitely bookmarking this website and sharing it with my acquaintances. You will be getting plenty of visitors to your website from me!

Reply
http://www.stonewedgetechnology.com link
10/23/2014 05:21:25 pm

This is my first time visit here. From the tons of comments on your articles,I guess I am not only one having all the enjoyment right here!

Reply
http://www.agencyeden.com link
11/9/2014 03:24:30 pm

Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. 

Reply
weeklyfanz link
7/24/2024 07:06:22 am

If you don"t mind proceed with this extraordinary work and I anticipate a greater amount of your magnificent blog entries. 

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Index
    Classic Films
    Cult Movies
    Foreign Masterpieces

    RSS Feed

    Minister for History,
    Leonhard Balk

    Articles on film movements in cinema's past. Reviews and analysis of the classics, cult favourites and foreign masterpieces.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.